Who’s In, What Matters, and Living Pure (Mark 9:38-50)
Have you ever thought someone wasn’t doing things the “right way,” just because they weren’t part of your group? Or struggled with a habit you knew wasn’t right but found hard to let go? In this part of the Gospel of Mark, Jesus talks to His disciples about these very issues—and what He says might surprise you.
Let’s take a look at what happened and what we can learn.
Don’t Stop Them: Welcoming Others Who Do Good
One day, one of the disciples told Jesus that they had seen someone driving out demons using Jesus’ name. But here’s the catch—this person wasn’t part of their group. So they tried to stop him.
Jesus responded, “Don’t stop him. If someone is doing good in My name, they’re not your enemy.” He went on to say that even a small act of kindness—like giving someone a cup of water because they follow Jesus—matters to God.
What’s the point?
Jesus was reminding His disciples (and us) not to be exclusive or proud. If someone is genuinely doing good and honoring Jesus, we should welcome and support them—not shut them out just because they don’t “belong” to our circle.
A Serious Warning: Don’t Lead Others Astray
Jesus then gave a strong warning. He said if anyone causes one of His “little ones” (meaning someone humble or new in faith) to sin or stumble, it would be better for that person to face a harsh punishment.
Why does this matter?
It shows how deeply Jesus cares for those who are vulnerable—whether they’re young in age or just beginning to trust God. We need to be careful not to do or say things that could cause others to doubt, fall into bad choices, or feel pushed away from God.
Cut It Off: Taking Sin Seriously
Next, Jesus used some very intense images. He said that if your hand, foot, or eye causes you to sin, you should remove it—because it’s better to give something up than to lose what matters most.
Of course, Jesus wasn’t saying we should literally harm ourselves. He was using strong words to make a point: Don’t treat sin lightly. If there’s something in your life that keeps pulling you away from God, it’s worth letting go—even if it’s hard.
Here’s the big idea:
Sometimes we need to make difficult choices to protect our hearts and stay close to God.
Be Salted with Fire: Staying Faithful and Living in Peace
Jesus finished by saying, “Everyone will be salted with fire.” That might sound strange, but He was talking about the idea of being purified—made stronger and cleaner through challenges.
He also talked about salt, which in Bible times was used to keep food fresh and add flavor. In the same way, Jesus wants His followers to bring goodness into the world and stay faithful to Him.
Then He said, “Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other.”
What does that mean for us?
It means we’re called to stay strong in our faith, live in a way that brings value to others, and avoid arguing or competing with fellow believers.
Final Thoughts: A Life That Honors Jesus
In just a few short verses, Jesus gives us some big truths:
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Don’t push people away just because they’re not part of your group.
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Take care not to hurt others with your actions or words.
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Be serious about letting go of things that pull you away from God.
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Stay faithful through challenges.
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Live in peace with others.
Following Jesus isn’t always easy—but it’s always worth it.
So here’s a question to think about:
Are there areas where God might be calling you to include someone, let something go, or live more peacefully?
You don’t have to figure it out alone. Jesus is with you every step of the way.
Mark 9:38-50 (WEB)
9:38 John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone who doesn’t follow us casting out demons in your name; and we forbade him, because he doesn’t follow us.”39 But Jesus said, “Don’t forbid him, for there is no one who will do a mighty work in my name and be able quickly to speak evil of me. 40 For whoever is not against us is on our side. 41 For whoever will give you a cup of water to drink in my name because you are Christ’s, most certainly I tell you, he will in no way lose his reward.42 “Whoever will cause one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for him if he were thrown into the sea with a millstone hung around his neck. 43 If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having your two hands to go into Gehenna, into the unquenchable fire, 44 ‘where their worm doesn’t die, and the fire is not quenched.’ 45 If your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life lame, rather than having your two feet to be cast into Gehenna, into the fire that will never be quenched— 46 ‘where their worm doesn’t die, and the fire is not quenched.’ 47 If your eye causes you to stumble, throw it out. It is better for you to enter into God’s Kingdom with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into the Gehenna of fire, 48 ‘where their worm doesn’t die, and the fire is not quenched.’ 49 For everyone will be salted with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt. 50 Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, with what will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”